EFFECT OF OAT SAPONINS ON PLASMA AND LIVER LIPIDS IN GERBILS (MERIONES-UNGUICULATUS) AND RATS

The effects of oat saponins (a mixture of avenacosides A and B) on pla sma and liver lipids in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and rats were investigated. Cholesterol-containing diets high in total and saturated fat and with different avenacoside contents (zero (ethanol-extracted oats), normal (oats) and twice normal (ethanol-extracted oats plus add ed avenacosides)) were used. Compared with a cellulose control group t he oat diets in both species gave a significantly higher cholesterol c ontent in the HDL fraction and a significantly lower liver cholesterol content, No significant differences in total plasma cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and plasma triacylglycerols were found, however, between t he groups fed on oats with different avenacoside content. The liver we ight, total liver cholesterol and free liver cholesterol were also sim ilar, whereas the liver lipid content was significantly lower in rats given the highest amount of avenacosides compared with zero or normal amounts. The tendency was the same in gerbils. Thus, the oat saponins had only minor effects on lipid metabolism in gerbils and rats.